Legacy Giving
leave a gift in your will
Support aviation education and youth development through a legacy gift.
By including The Air League in your Will, you can help future generations access life-changing opportunities in aviation, aerospace, and engineering, long after your lifetime.
A gift in your Will is one of the most powerful ways to ensure that talent, curiosity, and ambition continue to take flight.
why leave a legacy gift to the air league?
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving or a charitable bequest, allows you to support the causes you care about most, while taking care of loved ones first.
Your legacy gift will help us:
inspire and educate young people through aviation and STEM Programmes
support disadvantaged and underrepresented youth pursuing careers in aerospace
continue to sustain our mission to open doors to opportunities for everyone
how to leave a gift in your will
Leaving a gift to The Air League is simple, flexible, and entirely your choice. You can include us in your Will in several ways:
Residuary gift: Leave a percentage of your estate once other gifts and expenses are taken care of.
Pecuniary gift: Leave a fixed sum of money.
Specific gift: Leave a particular asset, such as shares, property, or personal items.
We recommend speaking with a solicitor or professional Will writer to ensure your wishes are clearly recorded.
sample will wording for leaving a gift
Including The Air League in your Will is simple. Your solicitor can adapt the wording below to reflect your personal circumstances and wishes.
Charity Details
Charity name: The Air League
Registered charity number: 313337
Address: 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ
Residuary Gift
(A Percentage of your estate)
A residuary gift leaves a share of what remains of your estate after other gifts and expenses are taken care of.
“I give [__]% of the residue of my estate to The Air League (registered charity number: 313337) of 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ, to be used for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”
penuniary Gift
(A fixed sum of money)
A pecuniary gift leaves a specific amount.
“I give the sum of £[amount] to The Air League (registered charity number: 313337) of 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ, for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”
specific Gift
(assets or property)
A specific gift can include shares, property, or other items of value.
“I give [description of asset] to The Air League (registered charity number: 313337) of 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ, for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”
directing your gift to a particular purpose
If you wish to support a specific area of The Air League’s works, you may include wording such as:
“I express the wish (but not so as to create a binding trust) that this gift be used to support aviation education and youth development programmes, and if such use is not practicable, I direct that the gift be applied for the general charitable purposes of The Air League.”
Leaving a Gift for a Specific Purpose or Named Scholarship
Some supporters choose to leave a gift in their Will for a specific purpose, such as funding a scholarship, bursary, or flying opportunity in their name or in memory of a loved one.
A named or purpose-led legacy gift, such as a gliding scholarship, can be a meaningful way to reflect your passions, values, and personal connection to aviation.
Creating a Named Scholarship Through Your Will
If you would like your legacy gift to support a particular programme or scholarship, we recommend discussing your wishes with us and your solicitor in advance. This helps ensure your intentions can be honoured both now and in the future.
Your gift may take the form of a fixed sum or a percentage of your estate, and can be directed to support a named scholarship aligned with your interests in aviation education and youth development.
Information to Include in Your Will
If you are leaving a gift in your Will for a specific purpose, it is helpful to include the following details:
The name of the scholarship
(for example, “The John Smith Memorial Gliding Scholarship”)Any conditions on recipients, such as:
Age range
Gender (where legally appropriate)
Career aspirations or interest in aviation or aerospace
Geographic location or home region
Including this information helps The Air League understand your wishes and work with your executors to apply your gift as intended.
Allowing for Future Flexibility
We encourage supporters to allow some flexibility in how a restricted gift is applied. Aviation education and training evolve over time, and flexible wording helps ensure your gift can continue to make an impact in the future.
Your solicitor may suggest wording that:
Reflects your wishes clearly
Allows The Air League to adapt delivery if circumstances change
Ensures your gift is never unable to be used
We are happy to advise on wording that balances clarity, impact, and long-term sustainability.
Get in touch
We understand that leaving a gift in your Will is a deeply personal decision. Our team is here to offer confidential, no-obligation guidance and answer any questions you may have.
Whether you’re ready to make a decision or simply exploring your options, we’re here to help.
We strongly recommend that supporters consult a qualified solicitor or professional Will writer to ensure their Will is legally valid and reflects their intentions.
While you are under no obligation to let us know if you’ve included The Air League in your Will, we would be honoured to thank you personally.
frequently asked questions
Legacy giving (also known as a gift in your Will, planned giving, or a charitable bequest) is a way of supporting The Air League after your lifetime by including a gift to us in your Will. It allows you to take care of loved ones first, while leaving a lasting impact on aviation education and youth development.
Not at all. Legacy gifts of all sizes make a meaningful difference. Many people choose to leave a small percentage of their estate, which can grow in value over time and have a significant impact on future generations.
You can leave a gift to The Air League in several ways:
- A residuary gift: a percentage of your estate
- A pecuniary gift: a fixed sum of money
- A specific gift: such as shares, property, or other assets
Your solicitor can help you decide which option best suits your circumstances.
Yes. You may choose to leave a gift in your Will for a specific purpose, such as funding a scholarship, bursary, or flying opportunity. Some supporters choose to create a named scholarship, either in their own name or in memory of someone special.
Yes. Named scholarships are a meaningful way to reflect your connection to aviation. We recommend discussing your wishes with us in advance to ensure the scholarship name and structure are appropriate and sustainable over time.
You may include guidance or conditions in your Will, such as:
- Age range
- Geographic location
- Career aspirations or interest in aviation or aerospace
Any conditions must be lawful and practical to administer. We are happy to talk through your ideas to help ensure they can be honoured.
We encourage supporters to allow some flexibility in their Will wording. Aviation education and training evolve, and flexible wording helps ensure your gift can still be used for closely aligned purposes if circumstances change.
There is no fixed amount. A named or purpose-led gift may be funded through a fixed sum or a percentage of your estate, depending on your wishes and circumstances. We can provide guidance on what level of funding is likely to be sustainable.
Unless you specify otherwise, your gift will be used where the need is greatest to support:
- Aviation and aerospace education programmes
- Scholarships, bursaries, and flying opportunities
- Young people from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds
Restricted or named gifts are managed carefully and in line with your wishes and charity law.
Yes. Gifts to UK charities in a Will are generally exempt from Inheritance Tax. In some cases, leaving at least 10% of your estate to charity can reduce the overall rate of Inheritance Tax payable. Professional advice is recommended.
You are not required to inform us, but we would be honoured to know. Letting us know helps ensure your wishes are understood and allows us to offer appropriate thanks. All conversations are confidential and without obligation.